Panama is known for an excellent First World infrastructure that’s unparalleled in Central America

Though well-known among merchants from all over the world, the province of Colon is a mystery outside import/export circles. However, it is home to the Colon Free Zone, one of the largest free zones in the world, second only to Hong Kong. Efforts to exploit the province’s vast tourism potential and create jobs and new opportunities have been many, but change has been slow. Now, however, a new project may change things here for good.

Panama Infrastructure 2010: Colon International Airport Project

Panama may be at its most ambitious since 2007, when the nation approved the Panama Canal expansion mega-project. The government’s budget for 2011 may well be the biggest ever, with massive infrastructure improvements looming.

Panama is known for an excellent First World infrastructure that’s unparalleled in Central America. Since the 1990s, the landscape has morphed before resident’s eyes with new roads, bridges, highways, buildings, hospitals and skyscrapers. The nation boasts the best connectivity in the Latin America region. It is also a multi-model dream with its Canal, trans-isthmian railway, expanding modern ports and duty-free zone.

Ambitious infrastructure plans through 2014 include the Panama Canal Expansion, the new city at Panama Pacifico, the expansion of the Coastal Belt Highway, a network of new hospitals and a “government city”—making it easier to visit government offices in one location. Now officials say Panama promoters can add a new international airport to the growing list.

From Domestic to International: Transforming the Airport

Until now, the Aerodromo Enrique A. Jimenez airport in Colon City hosted only domestic flights, as the runways cannot accommodate larger aircraft. Located in the France Field section of the Free Zone, the airport is about to get a major facelift. Local sources say the intention is to expand the existing facility so that it boasts the same capabilities as Panama’s Tocumen International airport. Known as the Hub of the Americas, the latter is the major connection hub for flights between the Americas, and makes it easy to travel anywhere in the world.

The new airport will offer international passenger and cargo flights for the thousands of businesspeople who visit the Free Zone every year. Until now, these travelers have typically been forced to fly into Panama City and travel an additional hour or two via train, car or bus to the Free Zone. Recently, the Panama-Colon toll road was completed, shortening drive time to about 45 minutes. (An additional expansion may shave another 10-15 minutes off the route.) Still, for the busy businessperson, direct international flights would save time and money.

Investment in the new airport will be around $60 million; the government plans to spend some $40 million of that in the first phase of construction. The public bid process for construction work is underway, and local sources say as many as 30 companies will compete.

Airport projects all over the world, especially international ones, have had major positive effects on local economies. The construction in the past decade of the Colon 2000 cruise port and Royal Caribbean’s decision to make Colon one of its home ports have helped put the city and province on the map. Locals and investors hope this latest project will have an even greater effect, breathing new life into Colon and sparking tourism on its Caribbean coast.

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